Protecting My Forever (Blackthorne Security Book 1)

by Nicole Vidal

  The longer we’re here, the more comfortable Calliope becomes. She shows me more of herself each day. Each new layer intrigues me even more. Nothing has given me pause, except for the rate at which I’m falling for her. I can’t imagine going back to a time where I don’t wake with her every single day.

  Our trip into town is pure fun. She wanders around The Nook, Norah’s store, for a solid hour before picking up anything she’s interested in. Then she bought a first edition of The Secret Garden. It’s the only book she remembers reading with her mom. We load up on chocolates and bring home a pepperoni pizza. It was a solid first full day of vacation in my opinion, except for the developments with her security.

  The next morning I slip out of bed and throw on some workout clothes. After tiptoeing out of the bedroom, I grab a water and run on the treadmill for a few miles. When I finish, Calliope is still sound asleep in my bed. Sharing my home with her feels right even with the packages of clothes she ordered stacked against the wall.

  Stepping into the shower, I let the scalding water melt way the tension in my shoulders. I’m nervous about our date tonight. I haven’t been on a date that felt like it could lead to something real in an exceptionally long time. That’s true about the date, but how I feel about Calliope is real, very real. It’s scary and amazing at the same time. When I finish, she’s no longer in bed. I pull on some shorts and a T-shirt before heading to the kitchen, and I’m taken aback by what I see.

  Still dressed in a pair of short shorts and a tank top with a long ponytail down the middle of her back, Calliope is dancing the salsa in my kitchen. Holy hell! That’s smoking hot! I’ve watched her dance many times, but the routines for her show have nothing on the sensual movements of her body right now. The fact that she’s dancing because she wants to make it even more touching. I’m sure to her it’s similar to her singing because she wants to.

  Unable to contain the urge to touch her any longer, I round the island, steal one of her AirPods, and offer her my hand. The familiar sound of Celia Cruz’s “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” filters into my ear. With a moment of hesitation, she sets her hand in mine. I spin her away from me and join her in the dance. Her emerald eyes are wide with surprise as we move together to the music. The brush of her body against mine and the increase in my heart rate is messing with my self-control. I force myself to focus on the steps, so I don’t get lost in the softness of her skin under my fingertips or the sultry sway of her hips. It’s much more difficult than I anticipate.

  We maneuver around the island and into the living room, careful to avoid the furniture. The song changes to another song that is fast enough for us to keep dancing. It’s as if we’ve been partners for years. Knowing the steps and moving with precision is one thing. Even more difficult is dancing with a partner. Somehow, we’re pulling it off well. The third song is a bit slower, so we slow the moves down to meet the tempo of the music. The tease of her body against mine at the slower pace is going to break me. I’m painfully aroused, and there’s no way Calliope can’t tell.

  When the song in her playlist changes again, it’s a slow jam, specifically “Nobody” by Keith Sweat. It’s an older one but definitely appropriate with how I feel right now, and from the flush of Calliope’s skin, she does too.

  “Who roped you into learning to dance? What other secret talents are you hiding?” she asks.

  “My sister’s teacher felt she needed a partner of equal height, although I think we dispelled the notion that similar stature is required. I’m not hiding any secret talents. I haven’t had enough time with you to share them all.”

  She buries her head into my chest. “Is there anything about you I won’t like?”

  I lower my lips near her ear and reply, “I could ask you the same thing.”

  Goose bumps skitter across her heated skin from my breath. I press my mouth on the cap of her shoulder. Her hands slide down my chest and dip beneath the hem of my shirt. The softness of her skin on mine is indescribable. She pushes my shirt up and replaces her fingers with her mouth. I tear it over my head, lean against the island, and run my hands up and down her back in opposite directions. A soft moan spills from her lips before she pulls back, lifting her tank over her head and revealing a white lace bra. I turn with her in my arms and set her on the island before adding her bra to the growing pile of clothes on the floor.

  “You’re gorg—”

  She cuts off my words with a slow, seductive kiss that almost knocks me over. Kissing a woman has never felt like it does with her. I kiss a path down over her chin, out to her collarbone, and zigzag down to her taut abdomen. I swirl my tongue in her navel. Her hips arch toward me before she lowers her back to the island as a few unintelligible syllables fall from her lips.

  I lift my eyes only to find hers half lidded with desire like mine. Reminders to take it slow filter through my mind. My moderate dry spell has no bearing on right now, on us. Sliding my hands up her lithe thighs, I bunch her shorts in my hands and draw them down her legs. She shivers as I skim my fingers up the inside of her legs before teasing the edge of her matching thong at the crease of her leg. Her hands grip the edge of the countertop, her knuckles turning white.

  “Calliope, do you want me to stop?”

  She lifts onto her elbows and shakes her head.

  “Baby, I need words please.”

  “Please don’t stop.”

  Content with her response, I hook the straps and tug off her panties. The moment the tip of my tongue grazes her folds, she exhales sharply and her hands grip the top of my shoulders. I follow her seam from top to bottom before spearing her with my tongue. I push forward and pull back. Her body tenses as I move faster. I plunge into her with two fingers and circle her nub with my tongue.

  “Connor.” She repeats my name three times, decreasing in volume.

  Her inner walls clench my fingers as her body shudders from her release. The grip she has with her hands loosens as they fall back to the granite. Not ready to let her move, I continue tasting her. Learning what makes her explode with pleasure is all that matters. When I nip her clit, Calliope swirls her hips and writhes through another decadent climax.

  The alarm on my phone pulls me from a haze that only she causes. It means she has an hour before she needs to leave with Norah. I push the notion that I need to stop pleasuring her away for a minute. Unsure if the island will hold both of us, I draw her back up to sitting. I trail open-mouth kisses up her body. When I reach her lips, her eyes are still closed.

  “Open your eyes, beautiful.”

  She follows my request, and soon her jade eyes are staring directly into mine.

  “I need to get ready, don’t I?”

  I nod once.

  “It would be obvious if I cancel on the girls, wouldn’t it?”

  A smile spreads on my face. “Maybe, but do you care?”

  “No, not at all.”

  Lowering my lips to hers, I kiss her slowly, deliberately. Guiding her legs around my waist, I lift her off the island. The last thing I want to do right now is add space between us. Her soft, smooth skin against mine is exceptional. I carry her to the master bathroom, set her on her feet, and then force myself to walk out of the bathroom.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Calliope

  I have no words. Now, I’m kicking myself for agreeing to this outing. I would prefer to continue what we started in the kitchen. However, I would like freshly painted fingernails and toenails for our date tonight. I hurry through the shower. Plus, hanging out with Norah and Maia is going to be great.

  Even the brief time I spent with them in the ring learning self-defense was fun. I imagine the girl talk will be a bit different. I pull on some capris, a shirt, and some sandals.

  “Connor?” I call from his bedroom.

  He’s beside me almost instantly. “Yeah?”

  “What type of clothes do I need for tonight?”

  “Why are you asking?”

  “I’m trying to figure out what to d
o with my hair.”

  “Whatever you do with your hair for hanging with the girls will be fine for dinner.”

  Color me intrigued. “Okay.”

  “Go have fun. It’s only a few hours. Norah and Maia are awesome, and you’ll get in some of the relaxing you promised yourself.”

  I did promise to relax, although I was thoroughly relaxed after my first orgasm this morning, forget the ones that followed. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “No. But… if you leave it will make finishing our date preparations easier.” He presses a kiss to my cheek.

  “Are there any limits on sharing about us?”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Not as far as I’m concerned.”

  I grin at him before replying, “So if I wanted to share about your prowess in bed, you wouldn’t mind.”

  He wraps his arms around me from behind. “I love your sass, but you should probably verify first.”

  Sweet mercy! I turn in his embrace so I can see his reaction. “The kitchen island was an incredible start.”

  He blushes.

  “That’s hot! What else will make you blush?” I rise on my toes and skim my lips across his.

  “You can have as much time as you want to find out.”

  “That might be a long time. A lifetime even.” My voice comes out soft and barely audible.

  “Yes, it might. As much as you want, Calliope.”

  I can’t really be hearing what I think I’m hearing, right?

  “Yes, you heard me correctly.”

  “I—” How does he do that?

  We’re interrupted by the doorbell.

  “We can finish talking later.” He lowers his lips to mine again before leaving me breathless to answer the door.

  I overhear him talking to either Maia or Norah at the door. I don’t know their voices well enough to know which one. “Hey, come in. Calliope will be right out.”

  Pushing away all thoughts and memories from earlier today is more difficult than anticipated. Hopefully, it isn’t as obvious as I think. I round the corner and descend the staircase.

  “Ready to get pampered?” Norah asks.

  “Yes, let’s go.” Lucky for me, Norah turns and is out the door, so kissing Connor isn’t that awkward. After pressing a chaste kiss to his lips, I follow her out to her car. I climb into the back seat and secure my seat belt.

  Norah pulls away from the curb. “How’s it going?”

  “Fine, why?”

  She looks at me in the rearview mirror. “You two seem even cozier than you were yesterday.”

  I can feel my face heating up.

  “Damn, Norah! Your radar is off the charts,” Maia teases.

  “It is. Like you and Nolan.”

  Interesting. “Who’s Nolan?”

  Now it’s Maia’s turn to blush. “Nolan is another team member. Norah—”

  “No, not only me. Everyone. Please continue,” Norah adds.

  Maia shakes her head but continues. “Everyone seems to think there’s something going on between us, but there isn’t. He’s my friend and sparring partner, and we share a living space in the bunkhouse. Nothing has happened between us.”

  “You want it to though?” I ask softly.

  Maia sighs. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it. He’s tall and fit like a martial artist not a gym rat. He has light brown hair and light eyes. Of course, I’m attracted to him. On top of that, he’s sweet, genuine, and fun to be around. Even more important, he understands this job and why I do it because he feels the same way.”

  Norah pulls along the curb and parks. “Come on, girls. Pampering and relaxation await us.”

  Maia surveys the sidewalk as if she’s working right now. It’s remarkably similar to how Connor and Christoph do it. I’m sure she can’t shut it off. We step into the spa, and immediately my stress level decreases.

  We’re greeted and led to a private room. The walls are a soothing blue color, and the ocean sounds filtering into the room are calming. Our manicurist offers us waters and assigns us each a chair. Maia and Norah flank me, and we sit in a row.

  “So back to you and Connor. I need some details, but keep in mind he’s my husband’s best friend and like a brother to me.”

  “Me too, but not the husband part,” Maia chimes in.

  I sigh. “I’ve never met anyone like him. How much do you know about me, the real me?”

  Norah speaks first. “Nothing other than you’re a client. Obviously, I know your music. If you’re asking if Jacob shared your private information with me, he didn’t. He wouldn’t. Maia would only be given what’s necessary to do her job.”

  I share a brief outline of the real me with them, including that I’m an orphan.

  “I lost my mother to cancer. Even though my dad checked out for a bit, I still had him. I can’t imagine losing both at once. I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you, Norah. Even before I shared with him, I was drawn to him. After, it was inexplicably deeper. There’s something about Connor that makes me feel….”

  “Whole,” Norah supplies.

  I drop my head. “Exactly. It has never happened before him.”

  “Never before Jacob for me too.”

  Maia is suspiciously silent.

  “Maia, nothing to add?” Norah asks.

  Still Maia says nothing.

  “With Nolan?” I ask quietly.

  She nods ever so slightly. “You can’t say anything. Not even Nolan knows. I won’t risk our jobs.”

  Norah turns toward Maia. “Jacob already knows there might be something between the two of you. Jacob won’t fire you as long as you’re honest. He won’t risk a client’s safety for either one of you. As someone who waited a long damn time for the right man, you should tell Nolan.”

  “I’ll consider it,” Maia responds.

  We lean back in our chairs and allow the staff to pamper our feet. Once that’s complete, we move over to the nail station and get our manicures. We can’t chat because we’re not seated near one another. After we finish drying, we settle our bill and head back to Norah’s car. She has checked her phone three times in the last twenty minutes.

  “What’s going on? Is something wrong?” I ask Norah.

  “No, Connor needs more time to finish setting up.”

  “Setting up?”

  Norah and Maia both turn to look at me. “We know more details about your date than you do,” Maia admits.

  “If it isn’t out of the way, can we go into town?” I ask.

  “Sure, where do you want to go?” Norah asks.

  “The grocery store.”

  Maia shakes her head. “Dinner is part of your date.”

  I laugh. “I know. I need ingredients for tomorrow.”

  Norah pulls into traffic and drives to the grocery store in town. She runs into her store while I shop with Maia. I meander down the aisles and add items into the cart for breakfast.

  When there is a loud bang, Maia pins me against the shelves in the aisle. “Sorry, habit.” She adds space between us, and we continue down the aisle. As we round the corner, we notice a collapsed shelf that likely caused the loud bang.

  I pull out my phone and text Connor myself.

  Me: Is the coast clear yet?

  Connor: Yes. The girls gave me up, huh?

  Me: Yes. I appreciate the effort.

  Connor: You’re welcome. See you soon.

  I smile and pocket my phone.

  “I assume that was Connor,” Maia states.

  “How do you know?”

  She smirks. “You’re glowing.”

  “It was. Thanks.”

  I step beside the cashier who does a double take. Ignoring the knot in my stomach, I pay for the food and we leave the store.

  Maia turns to look at me from the passenger seat. “Everything good?”

  “Yes. I’m not used to moving freely. Well, sort of. At home I get my groceries delivered. I haven’t gone to a salon in years.” I settle into the back seat and wait for Maia
to close the door. “I’m very cautious, and I don’t go out as myself unless I’m home. It hit me when she was staring. That’s all.” There’s no wig and tall shoes to hide the real me right now.

  Norah slides into the driver’s seat and heads back to Connor’s.

  “Everything okay at the store?” Maia asks Norah.

  “Yeah, Jessa, my manager, called. Our new hire, Evie, showed up a day early for work. I wanted to welcome her in person, so I stopped in.”

  Ten minutes later, Norah pulls into Connor’s driveway.

  “Have a great time. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Maia offers after she lets me out of the back seat.

  “Thanks, girls. I haven’t had a girls’ outing in too long.”

  Connor opens his front door.

  Norah steps out of her car as well. “I have a feeling we’ll have time for many more in the future. See you tomorrow at dinner.”

  My nerves start to go haywire. His entire family will be there tomorrow. Ignoring my concerns, I grab the groceries from the trunk. As soon as the bags are in my hands, Connor is beside me to take them.

  “Should I be worried about these bags, ladies?”

  “Not at all. See you tomorrow,” Norah replies and settles back into driver’s seat. After she pulls away from the curb, I follow Connor inside.

  “Can you not peek in those bags, please?”

  He sets them on the island. “Maybe.”

  Flashes of earlier today go through my mind. I tap my fingernail against my lower lip. Connor’s eyes widen. “What would it take to make that a yes?”

  “First, I need to kiss you.”

  “Yes, please.”

  He draws me into his arms and melds his lips to mine. There’s only one word to describe how well he kisses me—stellar. The rest only builds on that. I’m officially in trouble. I want him to be mine.

  He slowly pulls back but doesn’t release me from his arms. “What is it for?”

  I would prefer not to answer that question. “Will you accept a surprise for your birthday as an answer?”

  The wheels in his mind are turning. No woman has ever taken care of him properly in my opinion.

  “Yes. How did it go?”

  “It was fun. Plus, my toes and fingernails are super cute.”